Energy Efficiency

Programme Summary

Why was the programme needed? Hungary is required to make improvements in energy efficiency, both in regards to households, enterprises and governmental institutions. Such improvements are not only mandatory under EU legislation, but also a nationally stated goal in the country. Estimations show that building energy modernisation programmes can result in at least 10-25% savings from measures such as boiler modernisations and building envelope upgrades, and up to 50% from structural renovation and insulation. These energy savings can be further improved by increasing renewable energy consumption in buildings, improving building management practices and increasing awareness about the role of buildings for energy usage. The National Building Energy Strategy of Hungary includes a detailed assessment of the buildings in Hungary. Based on this assessment the energy consumption of schools (and kindergartens) constructed by prefabricated elements show high potentials for energy savings. The EEA Grants provided an excellent opportunity to implement measures in the building sector during the programming period of 2009-2014. The Hungarian Energy Efficiency programme dedicated over 8 000 000 euros to improve energy efficiency in buildings and improve capacity at national, regional and local level to undertake energy‐efficiency measures as well as increase awareness of and education in energy-related matters. The Hungarian Ministry of Innovation and Technology served as the programme operator and oversaw the implementation of the programme’s seven projects.What did the programme achieve? The programme succeeded in carrying out energy efficiency investments in six public schools, resulting in over 4000 MWh/year of energy savings and nearly 1000 tonnes of annual CO2 reduction and/or avoidance.  In addition to the infrastructural development of these school buildings, soft activities (awareness raising aimed at students, teachers, and staff members and capacity building of the operators of the school buildings) ensured the long-term effects and the optimal use of the building to maximise energy savings and CO2 reductions. In total, around 21 000 students, teachers, staff members and other stakeholders participated in awareness-raising activities and gained a better understanding of how to save energy through buildings. The mixture of hard and soft measures implemented in these six schools is rather unique within the Hungarian subsidy system and ensures that the immediate effects achieved by the construction works can be maintained in the long-term from an increased awareness and better understanding of one’s built environment. Moreover, the programme included a renewable energy project, which constructed a biogas power plant in western Hungary capable of supplying at least 2,500 residents supplied with renewably-based electricity. This particular project resulted in 10 000 tonnes of annual CO2 reduction and/or avoidance. The uses local agricultural manure and residues from the food industry to produce around 10.3 GWh of green electricity annually. The solid and liquid bi-products generated during operation is used as fertilizer in agricultural areas, reducing the plant’s waste footprint. Additionally, the project created 4 local jobs.How were bilateral relations strengthened? Multiple bilateral activities were organised in order to strengthen relations between Hungary, Norway and Iceland at ministerial, local, governmental and academic level, leading to the promotion of joint results, exchange of know-how, best practices and experience as well as improving the mutual understanding between organisations in the donor and beneficiary states. The activities provided insight for more than 50 high level decision makers and experts into several different ways to utilise renewable energy and energy efficiency in the donor countries, the use and value of awareness-raising and field experiences (such as regulatory background and subsidy systems). All these activities can opportunities for future joint improvements and achievements in the renewable energy and energy efficiency fields. What will be the impact of the programme? The effects seen in the six public schools will continue after the funding period; the students and staff will be continue to benefit from the energy efficiency measures installed in the schools and the improved indoor temperature and air quality and reduced energy costs resulting from the projects. Moreover, the biogas plant constructed in western Hungary will produce renewable energy from agricultural material, and can provide fertilizer to local farmers. There are long-term agreements in place to ensure continued supply of materials to the biogas plant and supply of electricity from the plant to the grid.